Ouarzazate Morocco

Ouarzazate - a city in south-central Morocco, located near the Atlas Mountains. The main attraction are the numerous Ouarzazate Ksar (fortified Berber villages).

Besides Ouarzazate called "Moroccan Hollywood" - more than half a century, the US film company working here, who are attracted by themselves Ksara, and of the local scenery.

Video Morocco Ouarzazate 8-9 day trip to Africa

Ouarzazate

In Ouarzazate, we went by bus from Marrakech, fare $ 9. In those moments when we woke up, the way the place looked very picturesque. Not for nothing Morocco is a popular location for filming among the directors, including Steven Spielberg. We arrived in Ouarzazate by the evening and the first thing noticed, the city is very clean and well maintained. Generally in Africa it happens, leaving the deeper into the country, the less well-kept town.

we had such a plan to explore the city before dark, as well as to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, which is located within the city. The next day, get up early in the morning and go to the most interesting Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and if you have time to explore the studio. But at 11 o'clock we have already had to be at the bus stop, which would go to Agadir.

Kasbah Taourirt

In the evening we went to see the town. Ouarzazate is not a big city with a population of about 60 thousand people, and as I said earlier clean and well maintained. Incidentally, in Ouarzazate is very beautiful sunsets. When we sewed to the Kasbah Taurit, it was closed, so we looked at it only from the outside. Taourirt Kasbah was built in the XVIII century the genus Glaoui, who were known for their power. It is the only building in the city, which has survived from ancient times.

Kasbah Taourirt

Ouarzazate

Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou

Early in the morning we went to the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, which is 29 kilometers from the city. The car we had booked in advance at the hotel retsepshene in which they lived. The transfer fee back and forth for about 30 dollars. On the way, we do not stop for a long time about the interesting places that would make the photo.

After some time, we arrived at the observation deck on the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou fortified city which is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument. Ksar is one of the most typical examples of traditional Moroccan adobe architecture prevalent in the pre-Saharan region.In addition, Ait Ben Haddou, for his cinematic, like many directors in the world. Here, a huge number of movies filmed, to name just some of them: Jesus of Nazareth, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander.Ksar is located on the left bank of the river Ouarzazate. In ancient times, it ran along the caravan route from Marrakech via Zagora to Timbuktu. Presumably Ksar was built in the XI century. But still in the homes of several families live, they are engaged in the sale of souvenirs.Walking among these ancient walls of an association with events that could take place here in ancient times. Ait Ben Haddou on this interesting place.

Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou

Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou

Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou

Atlas Film Studio

After visiting Ait Ben Haddou, we have not much time left and we decided to visit the site where the film studios Atlas filmed a lot of movies. Here is a hotel with a swimming pool, a movie list posted near the cash register to buy tickets. The list is very large, a few dozen. Ticket cost about $ 7.

Atlas Film Studio

Atlas Film Studio

Atlas Film Studio

What can I say about this place, if you are near the same time, you can call, but especially to come here, in my opinion, not worth it. If Ait Ben Haddou really meaningful, interesting historical site. That this pavilion is a place with dilapidated plastic machinery, aircraft and the like. By the way, oddly enough, we met here a whole group of Russian tourism. So many Moroccan cities have traveled, not seen, but here in the center of the country met. But we need to hurry, since we have a couple of hours had to travel to Agadir, so it was not possible to talk.